Inu, I’m tired of the humiliation I face in this town!”

Surprised, Baba Inu asked, “What happened, Inno?”

“Not me — Laraba! And whoever insults her, insults me. The village head wants to see us. They said Laraba took Sa’a’s son’s soup — she allegedly ate his ragadada! How can Laraba even do that?”

Laraba quietly turned away, hiding her stained hand from the soup.

Baba Inu glared at her. “Whatever they say she did, I believe it! I’ve been waiting for this — that girl must leave this town. She’ll go to the city for housework so I can have peace. Among my children, she alone behaves like a spirit’s child.”

Inno, angry, grabbed Laraba’s hand and stormed off toward the village head’s house.

As they entered, whispers rose in the crowd. After greetings, Inno said coldly, “We heard you wanted to see us.”

The village head, who had been staring angrily at Laraba, said, “Which one is Inno?”

Then he turned to Laraba. “Who is this?”

Laraba frowned, glanced at Dahe, and said, “I don’t know him — but he looks like Baraka’s son with the big nose.”

The crowd chuckled, angering the village head further. He pointed at Huwaila, the woman who had reported Laraba for throwing her bucket and calabash into the well.

Laraba squinted and said, “That one’s Lado the hunchback!” Then smiled mischievously, “Lado! You’re back from Lagos?”

Laughter broke out. The village head lost patience and slapped her so hard she saw stars. She held her cheek but stayed quiet, pretending not to care. He slapped her again, harder — her fair face turned red.

Inno, furious, shouted, “Sama’ila! Watch yourself — my granddaughter is not a punching bag!”

Sa’a, the woman who had accused Laraba, snapped back, “It’s you who always spoils her! I’ll make sure the village head gets justice for my lost soup — I spent ₦5,000 on it!”

The village head raised his voice, “Since that’s the case, I’ll send both of you to the city authorities for judgment. Maybe they’ll even send her to prison!”

Inno panicked, urging Laraba, “Speak, girl!”

Laraba glared at him with wild eyes that made his stomach churn, but he tried to ignore her. He said,

“Laraba, you took Dahe’s soup and threw Huwaila’s things into the well. What do you have to say?”

Laraba shot Huwaila a look. “Lado, since when did we even meet?”

Huwaila cried, “You see? She’s calling me Lado now!”

The crowd roared in disbelief. The village head ordered Sanƙira to fetch a fresh switch from the dalbejiya tree. Shaking, Sanƙira climbed, cut off a large branch, and handed it to him.

Laraba didn’t flinch even as her heart pounded. The village head lashed her repeatedly while the people stepped back. She endured until she couldn’t anymore — crying and writhing in pain as Inno wept helplessly beside her.

Children began clapping and chanting mockingly:

> “Laraba’s crying ye-ye,

Her tears and snot ahayye,

Tomorrow she’ll cry again ye-ye,

Let’s dance and mock her today!”

When the village head finally tired, he sat down proudly.

“Let this be a lesson to anyone who dares behave like Laraba,” he declared.

“Inno, you’ll pay for the damages Laraba caused,” he added.

Inno retorted bitterly, “Never! I won’t pay for what she did in my own house!”

Before anyone could reply, Laraba suddenly stood up — eyes bloodshot from tears. She stared at them all one by one, her big eyes bulging. Everyone grew uneasy. Then, without warning, she dashed into the forest.

“Laraba! Laraba, where are you going?” Inno cried, running after her.

The village head shouted, “Are you two performing drama here? Who told you to leave? If not for your late father’s respect, I’d banish you both from this town!”

Before he finished, Laraba came running back, holding thick tree branches in both hands — wild and furious. Without hesitation, she began striking everyone nearby. The whole courtyard scattered in chaos. The village head tried to run but tripped three times, his long robe tangling around him as he crawled for safety.